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Family support worker

Alternative titles for this job include

Family support workers help families with long or short term problems.

Average salary (a year)

£19,000 Starter

to

£35,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

36 to 38 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays away from home

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become Family support worker

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • volunteering
  • applying directly

College

You could do a level 3 diploma in health and social care or children and young people's workforce.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

More Information

Apprenticeship

An apprenticeship may help you gain the skills you need to become a family support worker.

You could complete a:

  • peer worker advanced apprenticeship
  • children, young people and families practitioner higher apprenticeship
  • early intervention practitioner higher apprenticeship

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More Information

Volunteering

You need to have experience to apply for training or jobs as a family support worker.

You can get experience by volunteering or finding paid work with:

  • children's homes or youth projects
  • nurseries
  • family refuge centres
  • probation services
  • family community centres
  • mental health services

You can find volunteering opportunities listed on Do It and the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO).

Direct Application

You can apply for family support worker jobs if you have:

  • experience working with children, young people or families
  • a minimum of a level 3 qualification in childcare, social work, social care, counselling, youth work or education

More Information

Further information

You can find out more about careers in support work from Think Care Careers.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
  • sensitivity and understanding
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • the ability to work well with others
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • the ability to understand people’s reactions
  • a desire to help people
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

For many roles you may be expected to have a driving licence with no penalty points.

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a family support worker you could:

  • work with people addicted to alcohol or drugs
  • support a parent while they're in hospital or prison
  • support clients who have marriage or money problems
  • support a child or parent with a disability
  • attend court sessions about caring for a child
  • help clients develop their parenting skills

Working environment

You could work at a school, in an office, at a client's home or in a court.

Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience and training you could:

  • specialise in an area, like working with people with disabilities
  • lead a team of family support workers
  • manage a family centre or refuge
  • move into social work

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Support Worker Apprentice Level 3

  • Wage: £17,000 a year Annually
  • Location: SS3 9BH

Residential Child & Young People Support Worker Apprenticeship - x10

  • Wage: £23,920 a year Annually
  • Location: Doncaster
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Health & Social Care (Diploma)

  • Provider: THE COTSWOLD ACADEMY
  • Start date: 02 September 2025
  • Location: Cheltenham

Health and Social Care

  • Provider: HULL COLLEGE
  • Start date: 08 September 2025
  • Location: Hull
Find courses near you

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